Dubai: As the month of Ramadan draws to a close, many Muslims across the world may be trying to calculate the amount of Zakat – a form of obligatory charity or almsgiving in Islam – they are supposed to be paying. But what exactly is Zakat? Who is obligated to pay it? And how is it calculated? Gulf News spoke with Dr Mohammed Eyada Alkobaisi, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, who provided a detailed breakdown of this form of charity. Who is required to give Zakat? There are two types of Zakat in Islam – Zakat-al-maal, which is the Zakat on a person’s wealth, and Zakat-al-fitr, which is specifically linked to Ramadan. While Zakat-al-maal varies, based on a person’s wealth, the amount for Zakat-al-fitr is specific, with every Muslim required to give the minimal amount before Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.